Knoydart – A Long Walk to the Pub
Joining information for GBAC participants on the 5-day guided wilderness traverse from Glenfinnan into Knoydart.
This page is for GBAC participants
If you booked Knoydart – A Long Walk to the Pub through Great British Adventure Club, Peak Adventures is your on-the-ground provider for the expedition.
This page relates specifically to the Glenfinnan start version of the Knoydart expedition delivered by Peak Adventures for Great British Adventure Club.
Use this page as your single source of truth for joining details, route expectations, equipment, food, water, facilities and return travel.
Use this page as your single source of truth for joining details, route expectations, equipment, food, water, facilities and return travel.
Important: GBAC provides your core sleep system for this trip. It is delivered to Peak Adventures and issued to you at the start, so your rucksack must be large enough to carry it alongside your own personal kit and food.
Three things to confirm
- Your arrival time in the Highlands and method of travel.
- Whether you prefer to meet in Fort William or directly at Glenfinnan.
- Whether you want to camp at Inverie or independently book the bunkhouse for the final night.
June dates can be busy in Inverie, so please decide early if you would prefer the bunkhouse option.
A progressive wilderness journey into Knoydart
This is a guided, point-to-point wild camping expedition from Glenfinnan into the Knoydart peninsula, finishing on the west coast at Inverie. The journey travels through increasingly remote terrain, with daily plans adapted to weather, river levels, ground conditions and the pace of the group.
You will carry a full expedition pack throughout. The aim is not to rush the route, but to move efficiently, camp well, and experience one of the most remote areas of the Scottish Highlands in a safe, supported and memorable way.
5-day outline
1
Fort William → Glenfinnan → Corryhully area
Meet in Fort William, travel together by train to Glenfinnan, then make a shorter walk in towards the Corryhully area. This gives a more manageable first day and time to settle into the expedition.
Facilities: Access to power/charging nearby. This is the last practical opportunity to charge devices until Inverie.
2
Upper Glen Dessary / A’Chuil area
We move deeper into the glens, travelling through wilder country and establishing a camp near the river, close to A’Chuil Bothy.
Facilities: Long drop toilet at A’Chuil Bothy.
3
Continue towards Loch Nevis / Sourlies
A full expedition day continuing towards Loch Nevis and the Sourlies area, with lochside camping if conditions allow.
Facilities: Long drop toilet at Sourlies.
4
Cross the bealach and descend to Inverie
We cross into the final stage of the journey and descend towards Inverie, returning to facilities, showers and the pub after several days in remote terrain.
Accommodation: Standard plan is Long Beach campsite. Bunkhouse upgrade is possible if you book it independently.
5
Inverie ferry → Mallaig → onward travel
We take the morning ferry from Inverie to Mallaig. From Mallaig, most participants continue by train towards Fort William.
Return: Planned Monday ferry is 08:00 from Inverie, arriving Mallaig at approximately 08:30.
Meeting arrangements
Preferred meeting point:
Fort William Railway Station
Preferred meeting time:
10:45 for the 12:18 train to Glenfinnan
This gives time for introductions, kit checks, issuing GBAC equipment if required, and a relaxed start before travelling together.
We can potentially work logistics to suit your travel plans, including a Glenfinnan meet if that is easier. Please confirm your travel plans in advance.
Leaving Knoydart
Planned ferry:
Inverie → Mallaig, 08:00 Monday, arriving approximately 08:30.
The ferry arrives into Mallaig harbour, a very short walk from the railway station. The most straightforward onward option is usually the mid-morning ScotRail service towards Fort William.
Train services on the West Highland Line are limited, so check and book onward travel in advance where possible.
Sleep system provided, but you need to carry it
Provided for you
For this GBAC booking, your core sleep system is provided and issued at the start of the expedition.
- Otomos Nomad Solo one-person tent
- Zenbivy sleep system
- Sleeping mat
- Quilt
- Sheet
- Liner
- Pillow
Rucksack guidance
The equipment is delivered to Peak Adventures and handed to you at the start. You must have enough space to carry it, along with your own clothing, personal kit and food.
As a guide, most participants will need a 65–75L rucksack for this trip.
Do not be tempted to add lots of “just in case” kit. Everything you pack has to be carried for multiple days over rough ground.
Bring food for 5 days
You need to bring sufficient food for the full expedition. Dehydrated expedition meals are usually the lightest and most efficient option, while still providing a high calorie intake.
Keep food simple, compact and easy to prepare. A few additional snacks are useful, but avoid overpacking.
Natural sources
We collect water from streams and burns during the expedition. Scottish mountain water is often good quality, but we treat or filter water before drinking.
Bring a water bottle or hydration system. Around 1.5L carrying capacity is usually a sensible minimum.
Use the full list
Use the Peak Adventures kit list as your main reference, but remember your tent and sleep system are provided through GBAC for this trip.
Remote means simple
Facilities on route
- Access to power/charging near Corryhully on Day 1 only.
- Long drop toilet at A’Chuil Bothy.
- Long drop toilet at Sourlies.
- No other facilities until we reach Inverie.
- Showers available at Long Beach campsite in Inverie.
- Pub serving food in Inverie.
Toileting in the wild
Outside of the bothies, toileting will be in the wild following Leave No Trace principles.
- Peak Adventures provides a small trowel for each participant.
- Please bring biodegradable toilet roll.
- All other hygiene items must be packed out.
We will cover this at the start of the trip. It is straightforward, but it is important to be prepared.
Ticks, midges, water and rough ground
Ticks
Ticks can be present in long grass, bracken and deer country. The best approach is to stay covered where possible, especially around legs and ankles.
Daily checks are recommended. Removal is simple and your guide will cover this at the start.
Midges
Midges can be present in still, damp conditions, particularly in the evenings at camp.
Bring repellent and a midge head net. Staying covered up is the simplest and most effective approach.
Water
We use natural water sources and treat or filter water before drinking.
Avoid drinking untreated water unless advised by your guide.
Ground
Expect rough, wet and uneven ground, with some steeper sections and river or burn crossings depending on conditions.
Good waterproofs and broken-in footwear matter more than extra luxury items.
Inverie accommodation choice
The standard plan is for Peak Adventures to book the group into Long Beach campsite at Inverie for the final night. The campsite has shower facilities, and Inverie has a pub serving food.
If you would prefer a bed, you can independently book the Knoydart Bunkhouse. June dates can be busy, so book early if you want this option.
What you still need to bring
Essentials
- 65–75L rucksack, suitable for carrying expedition kit.
- Waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.
- Warm layers, hat and gloves, even in summer.
- Broken-in walking boots or suitable mountain footwear.
- Head torch.
- Personal medication.
- Personal first aid items, especially blister care.
- Water bottle or hydration system.
Strongly recommended
- Dehydrated expedition meals for 5 days.
- High-calorie trail snacks.
- Midge head net.
- Insect repellent.
- Biodegradable toilet roll.
- Small power bank.
- Dry bags or pack liners to keep kit dry.
- Debit/credit card and a small amount of cash for Inverie.
Pack light: comfort comes from having the right kit, not extra kit. Every item has to be carried for multiple days.